RPU Survey Finds Support For Green Energy
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM New) - A majority of Rochester Public Utility customers would be willing to pay more for so-called “green energy.”
That was among the findings of a rate structure survey by Great Blue Research that was recently presented to the RPU Board. The results showed just over 50-percent of the responding RPU customers are willing to pay more for energy from renewable or other “green” sources and about 75-percent consider the environmental impacts of their daily electric usage.
The survey also determined almost three-quarters of RPU customers are willing to change their consumption habits in exchange for a 20-percent reduction in their energy bills and two-thirds would not object to having their air conditioner interrupted for 15-minutes each hour on “peak usage days.” In contrast, over 63-percent were not willing to have RPU manage their smart home devices to achieve the same goal.
The municipal utility says the survey results will be used to help the RPU Board set a direction for future residential rate structures, energy conservation and other issues, including overall satisfaction with RPU, which was pegged at just over 90-percent.
News update: A Rochester parking ramp will close Wednesday.